Kingscliff proves a real Christmas Cracker
Above : Kingscliff powers clear of his rivals in the Mixed Open Race at Dunthrop on Sunday.
Picture supplied by Neale Blackburn of Chasdog.
On a cold and damp December morning with the sun barely showing its face behind the misty and murky clouds it took an exhilirating performance by former Cheltenham Foxhunter winner Kingscliff to brighten up the day. A big thank you must go out to John Trice-Rolph and his team for preparing the ground in such good condition considering the amount of rainfall over the previous few days. This was an excellent effort by his team and I am sure all the people who attended the meeting thoroughly enjoyed the racing on show. It was a shame it was not a bit warmer but the sight of Turthen winning the Club Members race and Kingscliff's facile victory on his return to points in the Mixed Open race would of put a warming happy smile onto most people's faces.
The opening race on the card saw a very competitive maiden race split into 2 divisions. Punters did not have much in the way of form to go on but witnessed a very good front running performance from Manta Point who took up the running from flag fall and stretched out the field under a well judged Rachel King ride. Rachel King who is a work rider for Alan King gave Manta Point his head and ran and jumped really well throughout the race, without ever looking in any danger of being caught by her rivals. Manta point ran out a good 10 length winner and should easily be able to take the step up in class to Restricted's. Astormydayiscoming stayed on for second but was always held by the winner, Lushes Run appeared not to stay the trip but finished a further 10 lengths back in 3rd.
Below : Manta Point and Rachel King never saw another rival on their way to winning the Harley Racing Partnership Open Maiden Division 1 (Part 1) .
The second part of the open maiden race was also won in good style by the 2/1 favourite Top Benefit. David Mansell always had him settled in midfield and when asking the horse for his efforts easily went to the front to score by a distance going away. This was an impressive performance as the horse seemed to have plenty more petrol in the tank and a Restricted success looks a certainty. This horse could be worth keeping an eye on as he makes his climb through the ranks this season. Touchdown Kid and Drom battled it out for 2nd and 3rd with Touchdown Kid coming out on top finishing the stronger. He could well improve in time following this run and should be able to take a similar race. Drom however was always close up with the pace but did not appear to stay the testing 3 mile journey and could be seen to better affect in not such testing conditions.
Below : David Mansell and Top Benefit jump the last in great Style to take the Harley Racing Partnership Open Maiden Divison 1 (Part 2) .
The second division of the Maiden race was also split into 2 parts. In the first Glen Tulloch and Owen's Boy were sent off the 3/1 joint favourites. Glen Tulloch led from flag fall and Nolan Byrne really got a good tune out of Glen Tulloch jumping his fences nicely and extending his lead out in front after a circuit. Nolan was obviously keen to play to the strengths of the horses stamina as he had previously been trained by Tony Martin in Ireland and was contesting distances around 3 miles 2 furlongs. Glen Tulloch only really seemed to have a scare towards the end of the race as they jumped the second last the only conceivable danger Cracking Cliche whose rider Adrian Wintle was putting up 7 lb overweight seemed to be gaining on the leader hand over fist, but as the pair came down to the last Nolan Byrne seemed to have kept something in reserve and when asking Glen Tulloch to quicken again he galloped on strongly to the line winning cosily enough in the end.
Below : Glen Tulloch and Nolan Byrne put in a great leap at the last to seal Victory in The Penny Raby & Co Open Maiden Race Division 2 (Part 1)
The second part of this division saw a very courageous battle up front between Port Talbot and Definite Approach. Port Talbot joined Definite Approach out in front on the second circuit and with a couple of better jumps took up the running by several lengths. You would of probably been inclined to have thought that Definite Approach had run his race and had no more left to give as Port Talbot seemed to be travelling like the winner, but on this testing going and with the advantage of the inside, Jeremy Mahot got another run out of Definite approach and it was all to play for as they jumped the last. I think Peter Mason would of preferred to of been up on the favoured far rail as Port talbot seemed to be running around on the camber of the hill and as they crossed the line with both horses trying their hearts out Port Talbot got collared just before the line to go down by an increasing 3/4 length defeat. Port Talbot looked like he was going to shake off the seconditus and looks as if this 3 mile trip may just be beyond his limitations but I am sure there will be another opportunity for him before the end of the season. Definite Approach put in a gutsy display here but will find life difficult now stepped up to restricted class.
Below : The gutsy Definite Approach puts in a good jump at the last to collar Port Talbot on the run-in to take The Penny Raby & Co Open Maiden Race Division 2 (Part 2) .
The PPORA club Members race looked a competitive race on paper but Turthen who was formerly trained by Paul Nicholls was sent off the 5/4 Favourite. Greenfell led throughout the majority of the race and to be fair to his young jockey, Sam Twiston-Davies, he gave the horse every possible assistance from the saddle. but in his mirrors he would of seen looming large Turthen absolutely cantering under a patient Charlotte Tizzard ride. It was just a matter of time before she pressed the button and when she did the response was imminent, quickly rushing to the front and drawing clear to win by a distance in a very respectable time. This is definitely a horse to follow and should rack up a sequence by the end of the season. Greenfell looks a certain winner in the future following this performance. As does Fox John who ran a great race to finsih in 3rd. If that performance did not give the point-to-point enthusiasts something to wet their appetite then what was about to come in the mixed Open was simply sensational.
Below : Turthen and Charlotte Tizzard record a very impressive victory to take The Hutsby Farms PPORA Club Members Conditions Race .
The Mixed Open race on Paper looked very competitive with the likes of Cottage River, Irilut, Little Ed, and Kingscliff all turning out on the day. The punters sent off Cottage River, the Lady Dudley Cup winner last season as the 5/2 favourite but he could never live with what can only be described as a scintilating performance from Kingscliff. Ian Chanin sent Kingscliff straight into the lead and jumped impeccably throughout, increasing his lead with every jump. As they passed the stands onto the second circuit the jockey sat motionless just letting the horse get on with his job. As they climbed the hill Kingscliff started to pull clear and showed more enthusiasm for this racing game than he has done over the past few seasons. Cottage River and David Mansell chased in vain as Kingscliff just kept piling on the pressure with some tremendous jumps. As they went along the top of the hill the race looked all but over as Kingscliff kicked about 20 lengths clear of his rivals. The only conceivable danger coming out of the pack was Irilut who to be fair ran a very good opening race of the season. Kingscliff was booted into the last and the cheers went up from the crowd as they probably could not believe this horse had started at a very generous 3/1 and proved their was still plenty of life left in him yet at the age of 11. After this performance you would have to say that if all goes well he could well be back at Cheltenham for the Foxhunters in March and could easily win another Foxhunters following his triumph in 2003. This race was worth paying the admission money alone.
Below : Kingscliff and Ian Chanin jump the last clear of the field to take the Binge Drinkers Mixed Open Race .
The restricted race also looked a very competitive affair but punters quickly latched onto Shady Hollow as the winner, sending him off as the 2/1 favourite. Shady Hollow did not seem to travel that well in the early stages of the race but when Ryan Bliss asked him to close on the second circuit he moved up stylishly. However, Pretty Lady Rose who had led throughout the majority of the race was not prepared to give up without a fight and for a while it looked as if it was going to be nip and tuck all the way to the line, but coming down to the final fence Shady Hollow asserted and won in good style by an ever increasing 10 Length margin. This was a nice performance and he should continue to progress throughout the season albeit he did get a bit low at some of his fences. This recorded a double on the card for trainer Marie McGuiness following Kingscliff's win in the previous race.
Below : Shady Hollow and Ryan Bliss push clear from the field at the last to take the Restricted Race .
The intermediate race looked an Open contest but with only 7 runners going to post it looked a match on paper between Absolutely Barking who was a recent winner at Black Forest Lodge and We're confused who ran some very decent races last season. We're Confused was sent off the short 4/6 favourite and despite some enigmatic jumping was travelling strongly in behind the 2 race leaders Absolutely Barking and Draceana. Absolutely Barking jumped well but We're Confused covered all his moves. As they came down to the last the race looked sure to go to We're Confused who had gone into a good lead but Miss Stirling riding Absolutely Barking managed to conjure another good run from the horse and was closing down on We're Confused as they ran to the line. We're Confused was all out and just managed to hold on by a diminishing 3/4 length. This was still a good performance from We're Confused who probably just needed this first run of the season and should go on to much better things before the season is out.
Below : David Mansell Records a Double on the day as We're Confused jumps the last in front before hanging on to take the Intermediate Race.
The final race on the card saw only 6 runners going to post with another short priced favourite Sudden Arrival heading the field. Sudden Arrival never travelled very well in the early part of the race running in snatches and as they passed the winning line heading onto the second circuit it was clear the jockey William Telfer was not happy and gave the horse a couple of reminders to try and wake him up. He continued to run in snatches throughout the rest of the race but to the horses and jockey's credit he was still in with a chance as they came to the last fence. Haggle Twins who was caressed around the course by Miss J. Banks was travelling much the beter as the pair drew clear of the rest of the field. As they jumped the last it looked as if Sudden Arrival might still win but when Miss Banks asked her horse for an effort she readily went to the front, but to Sudden Arrival's credit he still battled on gamely but could not get back on terms with Haggle Twins as they crossed the line for a 3/4 length victory. Sudden Arrival looked like he hated the ground and is capable of much better than he showed here today. Haggle Twins did nothing wrong and was handled impressively by the jockey, he could easily win again with the same tender handling.
Below : Haggle Twins (Far Side) and Sudden Arrival (nearest) jump the last together before Haggle Twins goes on to take The Confined Hunts Race.
A fantastic days racing which was crowned by the class and renewed enthusiasm of Kingscliff in the Mixed Open Race. Turthen was also another impressive winner on the day and it will take a good horse to lower his colours. With our selections we did manage to have a couple of winners, and overall a great days racing was had by all. We can now look forward to the 2 day Barbury festival meeting on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th January 2009. A very big thank you must also go to Jackie Oliver of Graftonwood Photography who very kindly supplied the photos for this review. If you require any photos from this meeting you can contact Jackie on www.graftonwood.co.uk.
Wishing all our readers a very Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year.
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